prominent, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, beaten from halfway
soon led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon one pace
behind, smooth headway from over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon challenged winner, no extra close home
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway to lead over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
always towards rear
Vancouver Gold lines up in better form than most and is selected to see off the challenge of Dispol Isle, First Rhapsody and Attaca. One thing we do know about Vancouver Gold is that Karl Burke's filly is fit and in form from a successful all-weather stint, and she should make a bold bid to make it four out of five. The four-year-old has overcome problems with her knee to rattle up a series of wins on the all-weather, including off a mark of 73 at Wolverhampton in January. Trainer Karl Burke was not sure that she would be able to withstand a rise in the weights so has been cleaning up in sellers and claimers. However, she was allowed to contest a fillies' handicap under a six-pound penalty at Southwell 11 days ago and simply hacked up, so there is every chance that today's seven-pound anchor that puts her on 68 will not be enough to stop her from adding to her tally against a whole host of rivals that lack a recent outing. That does not apply to Dispol Isle but she has more to do than when landing an apprentice affair at Southwell at the start of the month. First Rhapsody will be all the better for a run out at Wolverhampton in February and Attaca is well enough weighted, but none look good enough to stop Vancouver Gold from scoring yet again.
Wayward Shot (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 17, 12l behind Robinzal (8-9) at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Yorkshire Blue 50-1 (8-5) Chased leader far side group, ridden over 2f out, led inside final furlong, no chance with stand's side group, 9th of 18, 15l behind Raymond's Pride (8-12) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-80 (4) hvy in Oct.
Vancouver Gold (IRE) 9-4 (9-6) Chased leader, led 3f out, ridden clear well over 1f out, easily, won at Southwell 1m fll hcp (5) fbs beating Midnight Lace (9-2) by 6l, 4 ran.
Dispol Isle (IRE) 9-4fav (8-12) Chased leaders, slightly outpaced over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Set Alight (9-3) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
First Rhapsody (IRE) 66-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, always behind, 10th of 11, 20l behind Scuba (9-2) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Montara (IRE) 4-1fav (8-11) Led early, soon headed and settled in mid-division, behind final 3f, 11th of 16, 9l behind Serramanna (8-6) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp (6) gd in Sept.
Insubordinate 20-1 (8-5) Dwelt, towards stands' side, never dangerous, 9th of 16, 8l behind Inter Vision (9-5) at Newcastle 6f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Flaxby 12-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon one pace, 9th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Burnley Al (9-1) at Musselburgh 7f 3yo hcp (6) gf in Aug.
Attacca 7-1 (9-2) Soon prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 7l behind Lucius Verrus (8-11) at W'hampton 7f banded stk (7) pol in Sept.
Haulage Man 20-1 (8-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 12th of 19, 13l behind Northern Games (9-0) at Ayr 6f hcp (E3) gs in Oct '04.
Cashema (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) In touch, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 14, 10l behind Platinum Charmer (7-10) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp (6) gf in Jun.
